Gareth Bale factfile

Sky Sports looks at the dazzling career of Tottenham's Gareth Bale after his PFA awards.

Last Updated: 29/04/13 12:50am

1989: Born July 16 in Cardiff.

2005: Joins Southampton as a trainee.

2006: April 17 - Aged 16 years, 275 days, becomes second-youngest footballer to play for Southampton in 2-0 Championship win against Millwall.

May - Makes Wales Under-21 debut against Cyprus. Quickly promoted to the senior squad for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, coming off the bench to become Wales' youngest-ever full international at 16 years and 315 days.

July 16 - Signs first professional contract with Southampton on his 17th birthday.

August 6 - Scores first goal for Saints with free-kick on opening day of the season in a 2-2 draw at Derby.

September 5 - Makes first start for Wales in 2-0 defeat to Brazil.

October 7 - Becomes Wales' youngest-ever goalscorer with a trademark free-kick in a 5-1 defeat to Slovakia.

2007: January - Bale's agent says he is happy to stay at Southampton despite Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly bidding £10million for the player. Both clubs admit their interest.

May 25 - Joins Tottenham.

August 26 - Makes his first-team debut for Tottenham in a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

September 1 - Scores first Tottenham goal in away draw at Fulham.

September 15 - Scores in his first north London derby against Arsenal.

December 2 - Injury against Birmingham rules him out for the rest of the season.

2009: June - Undergoes knee surgery, ruling him out for the start of the 2009-10 Premier League campaign.

September 26 - Tastes victory as a Premier League player for the first time in 25 attempts in the 5-0 defeat of Burnley.

2010: January 26 - Secures first victory as a Premier League starter at the 23rd time of asking.

April - Scores in successive games against Arsenal and Chelsea to help Tottenham finish in the Premier League's top four. Named player of the month.

May - Signs new four-year deal for Tottenham.

August 25 - Sets up all four goals as Tottenham beat Young Boys 4-0 in the second leg of their Champions League qualifying game to progress to the group stages.

October 20 - Scores a scintillating hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro.